Sliding doors: Various models and styles for your home

As the name suggests, patio doors lead to an outdoor patio or deck. This style of sliding door is primarily made of glass and can feature two to three glass panels, depending on your preference. The frames for this style of door are commonly made of vinyl, aluminum or fibreglass–all of which are sturdy and reliable. The main advantages of sliding patio doors include:

• Don’t take up much space
• Let in natural light
• Offer superb views of the outdoors
• Many models are designed to be energy-efficient

Though the pros are enticing, there are a few cons you should be aware of before deciding if patio doors are right for you. The cons include:

• Glass is easy to smudge and get dirty, meaning these doors will require more frequent cleaning
• Over time, your patio doors may slip out of the tracks
• Some sliding patio doors have a simple latch and hook locking mechanism that some may find unreliable

Glass is easier to break than traditional hinged doors which are often made from wood, steel or fibreglass

Barn doors

Simple, sleek and not just for barns, barn doors are a style of sliding door that hangs from a single track along the top of your doorframe. Sometime in the late 2010s, barn doors took over the world of interior design. Since then, their rise to fame hasn’t slowed down all that much. And we can see why. From bedrooms and home offices to kitchen pantries and storage closets, interior barn doors are an easy way to save on space and give your home a little character. Additional benefits of barn doors include:

• Easy to open, even when your hands are full
• Easy to customize with different materials and colours to fit your personal style
• Simple installation process

While it’s clear that barn doors offer style and functionality in spades, there are some disadvantages to this style of sliding door. The cons include:

• Don’t adequately block out sounds or smells
• Require high-quality hardware to ensure durability
• Typically don’t include locks
• Not as sturdy as other styles of sliding doors
• Can be heavy and tricky to open
• Require high-quality hardware to ensure they hang properly

French doors

When most of us think about French doors, we think about the kind on hinges but French doors are available as bi-fold and sliding doors as well. Regardless of the style you choose, all French doors consist of a set of double doors that are typically covered from top to bottom in small glass panes. The list of French door benefits includes:

• Glass panes let in natural light
• Available in a range of colours and styles including everything from rustic charm to contemporary chic
• Aesthetically appealing

As with any style of door, there are some cons associated with French doors too. These include:

• Take up wall space (especially sliding French doors which commonly include four panels instead of just two)
• Can be pricey to install
• Some French doors have gaps between them, making them more susceptible to drafts

Pocket doors

Pocket doors are a unique style of sliding door that “disappears” into your wall when you open them. Similar to barn doors, pocket doors hang from and slide along a single track that starts in your door frame and runs inside the wall. If you’re living in especially tight quarters, pocket doors are a practical choice when it comes to saving space. Some other advantages of pocket doors include:

• Take up less wall space compared to other styles of sliding doors
• Ideal for multi-purpose areas that sometimes need to be open and sometimes need to be closed off

That said, there are a few cons associated with pocket doors, including:

• Can easily fall off the track
• Not good at blocking sound, light or scents
• Can be harder to operate than hinged doors, especially for those with may not have perfect hand functionality
• Requires a certain width of wall and may affect wall sturdiness

Bi-fold doors

Bi-fold doors consist of two or more panels that sit on a sliding track and fold into each other kind of like an accordion. These doors can be hung from the top like a barn door or can roll along a bottom track. Commonly found in modern homes, bi-fold doors are easily customizable to fit any home decor style. Other benefits of bi-fold doors include:

• Aesthetically appealing
• Most bi-fold doors include a multi-point locking system, making them more secure than other styles of sliding doors

The cons associated with bi-fold doors include:

• Compared to other styles of sliding doors, bi-fold doors take up more floor space when open
• Can be costly to install, especially when covering a large area
• Due to the large size of bi-fold doors, opening and closing them for quick in-and-out trips can feel taxing
• Potential for water-draining issues

Choosing the right sliding door

Now that you’re more familiar with the different types of sliding doors, it’s time to explore how to choose a sliding glass door that’s right for your home. While it’s tempting to go off looks alone, there are a few vital considerations to make first.

Dimensions

Some sliding doors take up more wall space than others, so understanding the dimensions you’re working with is the key to a successful installation. For example, if your home has limited wall space, a pocket door is likely your best bet. That said, most sliding doors can be custom made to fit your needs. It’s worth talking to a contractor about customization options if you have your heart set on a barn or bi-fold door but don’t think you have the space to accommodate one. For patio doors that lead to outdoor spaces, you will want to leave roughly 30 cm of space on the top and sides of the door.

Wall structure

Wall structure is another important factor to consider when choosing the right door. Sliding doors, especially pocket doors that slide into the wall, will require thick, study walls that can sustain the size of cutout you need to make. If you’re hoping to install a sliding door on a load bearing wall, you will need to build some sort of temporary ceiling support which can add a hefty amount to your renovation bill.

Aesthetic preferences

Of course, you don’t want to go through the trouble of installing a new door if you don’t like the looks of it. Aesthetic preferences are a major+ factor that shouldn’t be overlooked during this process. Luckily, most sliding doors can be customized with different materials and colours to suit almost any decor style.

Budget

The last thing you want to do is get your heart set on a sliding door that’s way over your budget. To avoid any potential disappointment, be sure to set a firm budget before you even start looking at sliding door styles you might like.

Sliding doors cost

Speaking of budget, let’s talk about average sliding door costs. In Toronto, installing sliding doors can cost anywhere between $3,240 for a PVC patio door and $6,960 for a wood patio door. These prices include door materials and installation costs. For internal sliding doors, expect to pay between $500 and $2,500 or more, depending on your style preference and choice of materials.

Sliding doors inspiration

Here is some inspiration to get you started if you have your heart set on installing sliding doors but can’t settle on a distinct look.

Bathroom sliding door ideas

If you have an ensuite bathroom in your home, then a simple and affordable barn or pocket sliding door will make late night trips to the bathroom easy. For guest bathrooms, a barn or pocket door might not offer enough privacy or smell protection. Instead, opt for a bi-fold or French door.

Bedroom sliding door ideas

When it comes to the bedroom, French sliding doors are perfect for a larger space. French doors offer a touch of elegance and can make any bedroom feel like a throne room. Bi-fold doors also work well if you have the space to accommodate them. But if your style is more rustic charm, then a custom barn door should do the trick, as long as you don’t need to worry about blocking out excess noise. In small bedrooms, a pocket sliding door will be the best way to save space.

Closet sliding door ideas

From linen closets to walk-in bedroom closets, you can never go wrong with a barn door or pocket door in wood or frosted glass that slides completely out of the way of the door frame, giving you full access to the items inside. If you’re installing a sliding door on a pantry closet, consider adding transparent glass panels so you can always see clearly what’s in stock.

Window treatment ideas

Although sliding doors are a beautiful addition to any home, you can make them more aesthetically pleasing and functional with quality window treatments. Window treatments allow you to maintain privacy and control the amount of natural light in your home.

Here are a few options to consider:

• Use sheer curtains if you want privacy without losing natural light
• Try thermal curtains to help reduce heat loss in the winter months
• Experiment with different shades and shutters to give you more control over the amount of light your doors let in

Installation or replacement of sliding doors

Installing or replacing sliding doors is harder than you might think. With so many different configuration options, it’s easy to make a mistake and end up with a door that’s constantly sliding off its tracks. That’s where RenoAssistance comes in. Our dedicated and informed team will listen to your project needs and connect you with up to three Verified Contractors who can get the job done well. After that, all you need to do is choose the contractor that best suits your needs. So if you’re ready for new doors, don’t hesitate and start your project with RenoAssistance today.